Error message

Fishing in Season

Lexicon of Sustainability

Petaluma

Fish thrive within a rhythmic cycle. There are periods of mating and spawning, as well as long bouts of feeding. To fish in season is to harvest fish during their feeding periods, when their populations are supposedly highest, so as to protect the fish populations from being overfished and to ensure that there will be future generations of this fish species.

Fishing in Season

Location: LUMMI ISLAND, WASHINGTON
Featuring: RILEY, THE REEFNETTER

A year in the marine life of the Salish Sea:
Salmon of various species, each one primarily coming from the tributaries of Frasier River, are in season from the end of July through October. Shellfish, including clams, mussels, and oysters, are available locally most months of the year. Sea cucumbers are available September through May. Spot Prawns are available April and May for harvesting by local Native Indian tribes. “Non-treaty” fisherman are able to fish them late June through August. Dungeness crabs are available to local Native Indian tribes throughout the summer, but “non-treaty” fisherman can only crab October to April. Haro Straight halibut can only be fished by Native Indians March to mid-April.